Moderate Drinking & General Health

The regular consumption of alcohol in moderation is now recognized
as reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary heard disease
(CHD), ischemic stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Mortality
and morbidity by CHD alone are 40-60% lower in moderate drinkers
than among abstainers.

A number of other diseases appear to be reduced by the moderate
consumption of alcohol, including duodenal ulcer, gallstones, enteric
infections, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and diabetes melitus
(type II). Compared to abstainers, moderate drinkers exhibit improved
mental status characterized by decreased stress and depression,
lower absenteeism from work, and decreased incidence of dementia
(including Alzheimer’s disease).

The authors observe that “Although limits of safe drinking
have been conservatively defined, it is regrettable that political
considerations are hampering the clinical application of this knowledge
and its dissemination to the lay public.”